Hendrikus Josephus “Hennie” Potgieter was born on 24 October 1903 in Bloemfontein and became one of the strong, athletic forwards who represented the Orange Free State with distinction in the late 1920s. A tall, physically imposing lock, he was known for his strength in the line-out and his steady work in the tight exchanges, qualities that earned him selection for one of the most memorable Springbok teams in history.

Potgieter made his test debut for South Africa against New Zealand on 30 June 1928 at Kingsmead in Durban during the first-ever home series between the Springboks and the All Blacks. The series was among the most physical of its time, and Potgieter’s powerful frame and disciplined play made him well suited to the demands of forward battle. He played in two tests of that famous four-match contest, which ended with the series shared at two wins each - an outcome that cemented the fierce rivalry between the two nations.

At provincial level, Potgieter was a cornerstone of the Orange Free State pack. He combined height and athleticism with the rugged edge typical of Free State forwards of his era, and his selection for the 1928 tests reflected the growing strength of the union’s rugby in national competition.

Though his Springbok career was brief, it came during one of the most significant series in South African rugby history. Potgieter’s contribution as a lock in those early contests helped establish the standards of strength and discipline that became the hallmark of the South African pack.

Hennie Potgieter passed away on 11 November 1957 at the age of 54. He remains part of the proud Free State tradition that produced many of the hard men of South African rugby, remembered as a player whose quiet determination and physicality earned him a place in the story of the great 1928 Springboks.